Since we love to add a bit of Disney to our life whenever we can, we decided to come up with this handy guide to bringing Disney to your camping adventures.

Even though it’s cold at the moment, with spring on the way, now is the time to start planning those spring and summer trips, to make sure you are ready when the warmer weather arrives! That way, once the longer days and warm temperatures hit, you will be prepared and ready to skip off on an adventure, soaking up as much fun as possible. One of the best ways to do this, is with a camping trip – so why not go camping, #DisneyStyle?

Camping can take place in the wood, on the beach – even in your backyard, and can be as simple, or as fancy as you like. While some like to fish and cook damper over hot coals, others like to bring all the comforts of home which might include a barbecue, gas stove, or full kitchen inside a caravan or motorhome. Whether you like to pitch a tent in the mountains, or are more of ‘glamping’ on a campsite person, one thing is certain – you will make amazing memories and have an unforgettable time – especially if you incorporate a little Disney!

So, whether you choose to camp at Disney World’s very own camping ground, grab some Disney themed gear and hit a regular campground, or camp in your backyard while having a Disney-filled week, these tips will tell you everything you need to know about having a Disney camping adventure that you will never forget.

Camp at Disneyworld

While Disneyworld might not be the place you would normally think of to go camping, Disney has created an amazing campground in Orlando called Fort Wilderness. Opened in 1971, shortly after Walt Disney World opened its gates, Fort Wilderness allows campers to enjoy the great outdoors while also experiencing the magic of a Disney Park!

Surrounded by trees, hiking trails and a large lake, the camping ground contains 800 campsites for RV’s and tents, as well as more than 400 rustic log cabins. Each campsite contains all the comforts of home – water and electricity as well as sewer and cable hook-ups on the RV sites. The campsite’s comfort stations include showers, restrooms, telephones, laundry facilities and ice, while cabins have a full bathroom, air conditioning and housekeeping services.

 While most visitors to the Fort Wilderness Camping Ground are visiting Disney, the camping ground also makes a great place to have a holiday in its own right. The grounds are loaded with activities including hiking and jogging trails, swimming pools, tennis courts, fishing, cycling and horseback riding. Disney also offers a petting zoo and restaurants with an outdoors-barbecue theme. Those who stay on the grounds will also enjoy nightly campfire sing along with Disney characters, followed by an outdoor screening of a Disney film.

Like all of Disney’s endeavours, Fort Wilderness is known for its outstanding attention to detail, and for the tip-top shape that the park is kept in.

Whether you are planning on camping for its own sake or visiting Disney World – Fort Wilderness provides transport for all campers. Campers are able to rent a golf cart to get around the campground and Fort Wilderness also provides ample transportation to and from the Disney World parks.

Camp Near Disney

If camping at Fort Wilderness doesn’t suit you, but you’d still like to camp near a Disney Park, there are plenty of great camping grounds within driving distance to a Disney Park!

Moss Park in Orlando, is a short 20-minute drive to Walt Disney World and features many of the amazing attractions that campers want. From lake and beach swimming to watching deer grazing or relaxing while the kids play in the playground, this park is an inexpensive, and fun way to camp – and, because it’s so close to Disney, you can use the camping grounds as a place of rest and relaxation after long days in the park.

Similarly, Kelly Park is 35 minutes to Disney and is located in the heart of Bear country, with crystal clear water springs that provide the best of summer fun. There are so many options out there, so you can choose what’s best for your family camping holiday!

Disney-Themed Camping

If camping at, or near Disney doesn’t work, then why not go camping anywhere! The easiest way to introduce some Disney fun to your camping trip this summer is to theme the trip yourself, #DisneyStyle!

Start with your camping equipment – is there a way that you could add some Disney inspiration to it? Many department stores, as well as Amazon, sell Disney themed camping chairs, tents, sleeping bags and much more. Alternatively, you could take a little inspiration from Disney-Bounding, and theme your camping trip around a certain Disney character or movie. Fans of Frozen might deck their trailer’s out in blue shades, winter themed ornaments etc, while lovers of Sleeping Beauty might choose to go tent camping with blue and pink bedding.

Backyard Camping – Camp Disney!

The easiest way to experience a bit of Disney camping this summer, is to stay home and create “Camp Disney” in your own backyard!

Firstly, agree on a theme for your camp – the clothing you will wear, the activities you do, the food you will eat and the movies your will watch will be based around this theme. You can pick a general theme such as ‘ocean’ and build around that, or you might be more specific, choosing the have a Pocahontas inspired camp. Once you have decided on a theme, you can begin to plan your camp.

Here are some examples of themes you could use to plan your Camp Disney:

Ocean

• Food
• • ‘Seaweed’ grape skewers
  • Blue jelly
  • ‘Oyster’ biscuits
  • Goldfish crackers
  • Filled ‘Crabs’ (croissants)

• Movies
  • Moana
  • The Little Mermaid
  • Finding Nemo
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Lilo and Stitch
  • Finding Dory

• Activities
  • Take a trip to the beach
  • Visit the aquarium
  • Clean and sort shells
  • Learn about deep sea life on the internet
  • Make an ocean in a bottle

 Lady and the Tramp

• Food
  • Spaghetti and Meatballs
  • Cereal served in pet bowls
  • Italian bruschetta
  • Tomato, basil and mozzarella salad

• Movies
  • Lady and the Tramp
  • Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure
  • The Fox and the Hound
  • Oliver and Company

• Activities
  • Print off some printable dog masks to wear at movie time
  • Make your own animal ears headband
  • Visit a pet store or puppy shelter
  • Build a pet bed for your fur baby

As you can see, you don’t even have to leave home to enjoy a Disney vacation! Families who love Disney can build their own camp time around their favourite Disney movies or characters – whether you are going to stay at home for a ‘staycation’ or pitch a tent in the backyard.

And, if you don’t want to pick a theme – go general! Watch as many Disney movies as you can squeeze in, have a karaoke night with Disney songs, watch The Parent Trap and bang sticks to chase the mountain lions away and have fun!

Be sure to check out our range of camping inspired pieces, and...

Happy Camping!